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The holiday season has finally arrived! For many it is a time of celebration; a time for giving and receiving. While you are doing your holiday shopping this season, THE PATRIOTS INITIATIVE wants to remind you of our troops overseas. Whether you personally know someone serving overseas, or just want to help make the holidays special for our troops, TPI has several accredited charities dedicated to spreading joy through sending care packages to our armed forces overseas. You can also donate directly to TPI and make a difference in the lives of our active duty and veteran military service members and their families. The Patriots Initiative will direct your entire gift to those nonprofits doing the finest work and engaging in best practices that most effectively support America’s military communities.

Care Packages

Operation America Cares, Operation Gratitude, and Operation Troop Appreciation are all doing great work to improve the moral of America’s troops overseas and ensure they feel supported by Americans back home. If you want to create your own care packages to ship out, The United States Postal Service website has published a list of shipping dates to guarantee on time holiday delivery. Military.com has some great tips on what to, and not to, when sending care packages overseas. Things such as powered drink mixes, hard snacks, toiletries, reading material, word games, playing cards, and puzzles are all appreciated. Chocolate, perishable items, or items that may be deemed offensive should all be avoided.

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is on December 7th. This year marks the 76th anniversary of Japan’s surprise attack of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. While not a federal holiday, the flag is flown half-staff in honor of the 2,403 American servicemen whose lives were lost. Another 1,178 servicemen were injured with two U.S. battleships sunk and 188 American planes destroyed. The following day, December 9th, 1941, former President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared war on Japan and the United States officially entered World War II fighting on the side of the allied forces.

National Guard Birthday

December 13th marks the 381st birthday of the National Guard. The National Guard was founded on December 13th, 1636 by the General Court in Salem. The Court called for all able-bodied men between the ages of 16 and 60 to join the militia in order to help protect the colonies. Now, The National Guard of the United States is part of the reserve components of the U.S. Armed Forces and all members serve voluntarily. National Guard members work primarily in their home states, but can be called upon by the state governor or the federal government at any time. They are often deployed to assist residents during local emergencies, such as storms, floods, and fires. National Guard members can also be sent into combat missions overseas.

THE PATRIOTS INITIATIVE wishes you a wonderful holiday season and thanks you for remembering America’s men and women who defend the nation and freedoms we all enjoy.